1
as in democratic
of, relating to, or favoring political democracy
having rid itself of the yoke of colonialism, the new nation chose to be a self-ruling state
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in independent
not being under the rule or control of another
was granted special status as a self-ruling province
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Recent Examples of self-ruling
Xi also wants to focus on Washington’s stance on Taiwan, the self-ruling democracy that Beijing claims as its territory.
—
Elizabeth Robinson, NBC news, 13 May 2026
But the real change might be in East Asia, where Kim’s belligerence and rising fears regarding China’s designs on self-ruling Taiwan had already reenergized the nuclear debate.
—Charlie Campbell, Time, 28 Mar. 2026
Not only that, but Greenland, a self-ruling territory of Denmark, lacks the infrastructure and manpower required to make this mining dream a reality.
—Matt Egan, CNN Money, 12 Jan. 2026
Like Assad before him, Sharaa now faces complex negotiations toward bringing these self-ruling territories under his command.
—Tom O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2025
In recent years, Beijing has ramped up economic, diplomatic and military pressure on Taiwan – a self-ruling democracy the Chinese Communist Party claims as its own despite having never governed it.
—Eric Cheung, CNN, 13 Mar. 2023
In a meeting earlier with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, Raisi expressed support for China's crackdown on democracy in Hong Kong and claim to self-ruling democratic Taiwan.
—Bradford Betz, Fox News, 17 Feb. 2023
Elizabeth Robinson, NBC news, 13 May 2026
But the real change might be in East Asia, where Kim’s belligerence and rising fears regarding China’s designs on self-ruling Taiwan had already reenergized the nuclear debate.
—Charlie Campbell, Time, 28 Mar. 2026
Not only that, but Greenland, a self-ruling territory of Denmark, lacks the infrastructure and manpower required to make this mining dream a reality.
—Matt Egan, CNN Money, 12 Jan. 2026
Like Assad before him, Sharaa now faces complex negotiations toward bringing these self-ruling territories under his command.
—Tom O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2025
In recent years, Beijing has ramped up economic, diplomatic and military pressure on Taiwan – a self-ruling democracy the Chinese Communist Party claims as its own despite having never governed it.
—Eric Cheung, CNN, 13 Mar. 2023
In a meeting earlier with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, Raisi expressed support for China's crackdown on democracy in Hong Kong and claim to self-ruling democratic Taiwan.
—Bradford Betz, Fox News, 17 Feb. 2023
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-ruling
Adjective
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In War and Peace, Tolstoy’s concept—among a million other things—was to show how the young people who lived through the Napoleonic invasion went on to lead Russia’s first democratic uprising, the Decembrist Revolt of 1825.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
2 June 2026
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But Rubio cautioned that Venezuela remains far from a democratic transition, saying the country still lacks the conditions necessary for free elections and continues to hold hundreds of political prisoners.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
2 June 2026
Adjective
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Cepeda has advocated for a more independent foreign policy and greater Latin American integration, while right-wing candidates Abelardo de la Espriella and Paloma Valencia have argued for closer alignment with Washington on security and economic issues.—
Sebastian Jimenez,
CNN Money,
31 May 2026
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Local businesses, such as independent coffee shops, small law or accounting firms, boutique fitness studios, and neighborhood landscaping companies, often have job openings.—
Sarah Hernholm,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2026
Adjective
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Snow, slush and messy weather can challenge autonomous vehicles in ways sunny streets cannot.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
2 June 2026
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Designed for operation in complex real-world environments, Dyno integrates a sophisticated AI system with a highly responsive sensor suite that enables autonomous navigation, situational awareness, and human-robot interaction.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
2 June 2026
Adjective
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Gulf SWFs ramp up spending despite Iran war Against the backdrop of the Iran war, Gulf sovereign wealth funds have stepped up dealmaking over the last few months–with the five biggest funds collectively investing nearly $26 billion at a higher deployment pace than over the previous five years.—
Alyson Shontell,
Fortune,
2 June 2026
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Today, the fund is the world’s largest sovereign wealth fund, holding and profiting from more than $2 trillion in stocks, bonds, infrastructure and real estate.—
Ola Morris Innset,
The Dial,
2 June 2026
Adjective
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In the Executive and Premier One-Bedroom Suites, a separate living room adds a place for gathering or relaxing while someone else is asleep.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
1 June 2026
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In 2024 and 2025, four hearing officers in the appeals unit filed complaints against the department, leading to three internal investigations by human resources, according to a separate, outside probe conducted by Flynn Investigations Group, a firm specializing in workplace reviews.—
Sam Tabachnik,
Denver Post,
31 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Self-ruling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-ruling. Accessed 4 Jun. 2026.
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